Book Review: No Apologies, by Joanne Brookfield

Brookfield provides us with an eclectic roadmap of the journey of the ladies of comedy.

Overall

3.5

Like the song says – “it’s a
man’s world” – be it within corporations or the comedy circuit.

Joanne Brookfield is no stranger
to either. As a journalist and a veteran of the stand-up comedy circuit, she is
aware of the power of the female voice. Both in the realm of cyberspace and on
the stages of the Comedy Clubs and at the Melbourne International Comedy
Festival, the female voice is more empowered than ever.

Brookfield has taken both these skillsets
and combined them to produce this informative and powerful work on the
Australian Comedy landscape and the women who have shaped it over the years –
as well as those who will continue to transform it for years to come.

Brookfield provides us with an
eclectic roadmap of the journey of the ladies of comedy, from the pioneering
work and ground-breaking early days of Wendy Harmer, Rachel Berger and Judith
Lucy, onto the newer names and (some) familiar face, like Cal Wilson and Urzila
Carlson.

These women open up to one of
their own with a sense of security and understanding. That security brings a
level of honesty about the highs and lows, some quite confronting and
disheartening to read, particularly in a book about the joys of comedy and
laughter.

The list of interviewees is a
veritable ‘who’s who’ – balanced with a singular who? – of the Australian and
International comedy scene. Some of these are referenced directly, while others
are captured in frames and thought bubbles of quotation.

No Apologiesis more than
just a book about female comedy. It is a recognition that, regardless of where
you work or what you do, it will not be easy; you will be inclined to give up
or give in; but, no matter what it is, you’re not the first, won’t be the last,
and have plenty of inspiration to drive you on.

My only issue with this book
comes from its layout. The thought bubbles and boxed quotes interrupt the
narrative flow – sometimes not even in a direct correlation to what the core
writing is discussing. Once you attune yourself to this aspect, it is a
powerful piece, indeed.